Most people don't realize that actor Ian McKellen is an atheist - but if he is an atheist, what's he doing in the movie The Da Vinci Code?

Simple: he thinks that it's a really good story (the book, at least - reviews indicate that the movie isn't as good). He's not bothered about playing a role in a fictional story, though he thinks that the Bible is just as fictional.

Writing about his decision to take a role in The Da Vinci Code, McKellen said:

“The Catholic Church is upset by the suggestion that Jesus Christ was married and that his bloodline survives to this day. As an atheist I am indifferent. As a reader I couldn’t stop turning the pages of Dan Brown’s book.”

i started a thread "was jesus gay?" because i always thought he did, in fact have a girlfriend, or wife. i find it hard to believe that this guy spent 33 years on earth without having a wife....or a mistress.

now, perhaps there was a wise man named jesus, but performing miracles and the alleged son of a god? i don't think so. hell, a story today can't be told to 5 people with out getting distorted...let alone several thousand years.